House Concurrent Resolution No. 100

(By Delegates Staggers, Longstreth, Lynch, Moye, Poling, D., Smith, M., Stephens, Walker, Wells, Young, Ambler, Arvon, Butler, Cadle, Cowles, Espinosa, Evans, D., Gearheart, Hamrick, Howell, and Shott)

(Originating in the House Committee on Roads and Transportation)

(February 19, 2014)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study study ways to improve the efficiency of and find other cost saving measures within the West Virginia Division of Highways to continue its ability to function at top levels in the face of demanding financial circumstances.

    WHEREAS, The budget of West Virginia continues to shrink each fiscal year, leaving all state agencies to reduce their spending accordingly; and

    WHEREAS, As vehicles become more and more fuel efficient, less revenue is created through fuel taxes, while also increasing the use of and burden on the highway system infrastructure as it has become less expensive for consumers to travel in fuel efficient vehicles; and

    WHEREAS, The recent cold winters, hot summers, and rainy springs and autumns have created a menagerie of new highway repair needs in a highway system that already faces repair challenges; and

    WHEREAS, New highway construction has waned in recent years, leaving many residents to travel dangerous roads and alternative routes where more direct, safer routes would be created with new highway construction; and

    WHEREAS, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin created by executive order the West Virginia Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways to explore new methods of funding the current highway system, it’s maintenance, and future construction; and

    WHEREAS, The Division of Highways itself is in the process of finding new and alternative funding mechanisms to fill budget gaps without dramatically reducing services and the effectiveness of these services; and

    WHEREAS, As all West Virginians share the use of the state’s highway system, it is in every resident’s best interest to find solutions to highway funding obstacles to continue to encourage positive economic development; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study ways to improve the efficiency of and find other cost saving measures within the West Virginia Division of Highways to continue its ability to function at top levels in the face of demanding financial circumstances; and, be it

    Further Resolved, that the West Virginia Department of Transportation and Division of Highways be encouraged to cooperate in such a study; and, be it,

    Further Resolved, that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, two thousand fifteen, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it,

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.